I'm training for my first competition in the Cal States Games in July (35-39yo/69kg group), and was wondering if anyone here has past experience in the Games or is competing this year. I'm not really sure what to expect in terms of anything, really, but wondering about the number and level of competitors, how they group weight classes/age groups, etc. Any first hand knowledge would be appreciated.

I'm feeling pretty good about my progress and would like to compete some more, but haven't found any good sources for SoCal competitions with Masters' classes - or maybe they just don't exist. I checked the USAW and Masters' Weightlifting sites, but they don't list anything local, including the Cal State Games.

As far as Masters-only meets, you probably won't find much outside of the two big competitions held in the US every year (National & American). At the local level, how it usually works is you identify yourself as a Master lifter on the entry form (to be eligible for Masters awards/placing), but lift in the same session as the other lifters (Open, Junior) in your weight class.

Thanks Floyd and Yuen. I checked the links, and found a relatively close club that looks to be having events twice a year - Iron Man WLC's only an hour away. The 2008 games had lots of folks from Mike's Gym - Cody, Sage, Greg, Aimee, Mike Grey, Edgar, Evelyn. Should be fun. Cheers

Cal state games, like most local lifting meets, can range quite a bit in terms of venue, organization, number of competitors, gear, etc. But also they are very consistently full of friendly people who are happy to help out new lifters. Go have some fun and don't be afraid to ask for help.